Anti-terrorism Court. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Police said PML-N MNA Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, brother Sarfaraz Bhatti and son of Najaf Bhatti, had boycotted the election counting process, shouted slogans and used abusive language against the judiciary, administration and army.
The police lodged a first information report against more than 100 people, including Zulfiqar Bhatti, on charges of provoking the public against state institutions. The accused were booked under 7/ATA-342 and sections 148/149, 341/440, 186/353 by the Cantonment police.
PML-N receives cold shoulder from PPP
Zulfiqar Bhatti was elected as MNA from NA-91 on a PML-N ticket. However, when the recounting of votes took place, the accused, along with other party workers, used abusive language, damaged property and shouted slogans against the judiciary, administration and army on the court premises.
After the incident, the returning officer submitted an application at the Cantt police station on July 28 for the registration of a case. The police booked the accused, but after two days, 11 of them, including Zulfiqar Bhatti, managed to secure bail from the Lahore High Court. Later, the bail of the accused was cancelled and they fled from the court.
While speaking to Express News, Bhatti’s lawyer Ansar Baloch said that his client had not resorted to any kind of violence and terrorism. “Zulfiqar Bhatti only raised voice for his rights and he is being politically victimised,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2018.
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